About the Rally

Date :: Saturday, August 2nd

Time :: 1p - 4:30p

Place :: State Capitol in Austin, TX [1100 Congress Ave]

On Saturday, August 2nd, we will be assembling at the Capitol in Austin, TX to protest against Israel's horrific assault on the population of Gaza, and to demand an end to our government's support for it. Peace and human rights activists and organizations from all over the state will join together to demonstrate our solidarity with the people of Gaza and our demands for an immediate halt to the mass murder of Palestinian civilians.

La Mexitas Mexian Restauranthas graciously offered 100 parking spots in their parking lot! It's a bit of a walk, but absolutely an option.

Other Garage Parking

There are many other parking garages around Downtown Austin and the Capitol area. Please refer to this map or this list (note, rates may have changed as the list is dated) for further garage location information. Make sure you check each garage for rates and listing as they will most probably not be free.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors:

Islamic Circle of North America - Houston, Dallas

Abo Obaydah UNITY Foundation

Bill McKee

To volunteer at the festival, please e-mail elzabri@gmail.com and include your phone number and what kind of help you'd be most interested in.

Statement

We, the people of Texas, demand an end to Israeli atrocities against Gaza, including the land, sea, and air siege, and demand an end to the US government's support to Israel as long as it continues violating international law and denying Palestinians their human rights.

Signed:

Interfaith Community for Palestinian Rights

University of Texas at Austin Palestine Solidarity Committee

International Socialist Organization - Austin

University of Houston Students for Justice in Palestine

Islamic Circle of North America - Houston, Dallas, Austin

Council on American-Islamic Relations - Dallas

Muslim American Society - Dallas, Austin

Muslim Umma of North America - Houston, Dallas

University of Texas at San Antonio Students for Justice in Palestine

Abo Obaydah UNITY Foundation

Dallas Peace Center

Food Not Bombs - Austin

Middle Eastern Studies Student Committee

Iraq Veterans Against the War - Texas

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Texans Protest Israel's Assault on the Palestinian People.

What: A Gathering of People from around Texas Protesting Israel’s Siege of Gaza and Massacres of the Palestinian People, and U.S. Support and Funding of Israel While it Violates International Law

Austin’s Interfaith Community for Palestinian Rights (ICPR), Palestine Solidarity Committee at UT (PSC), the International Socialist Organization (ISO), and Muslim American Society - Austin (MAS), in coordination with organizations from Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, will assemble at the Capitol to protest Israel’s assault on the Palestinian people. This will be followed by a march down Congress Avenue to City Hall, where the rally will be continued.

Since July 8th, 2014, Israel has escalated its aggression against the Palestinian people, deliberately and systematically harming civilians, killing more than 1,300 Palestinians of whom 85% were civilians according to a UN estimate. In addition, thousands have been injured, more than 3,000 homes destroyed, and more than 100,000 people displaced. Gaza has been under a harsh siege since 2007.

The rally is to demand that Israel end the illegal and immoral collective punishment of the Palestinian people, including the siege of Gaza, and that our government sanction and hold Israel accountable for violating international law and human rights. Clergy from the three monotheistic faiths will address the gathering, along with other speakers, a live link to Gaza, a march to City Hall, and spoken word performances.

We call on all people of conscience to stand with us and demand justice, liberty, and equal rights for the Palestinian people.

Donate

There are many expenses related to this rally, including bringing speakers, renting equipment, producing banners and signs, providing free water, and lots more. Please help us cover our costs by supporting us with a donation today*. Any extra after we cover rally expenses will be donated to the charity kinderUSA, which focuses on helping children, and will be earmarked for Gaza Emergency Relief. Thank you!

*Payment processed by Palestine Online Store

Get Informed

The Electronic Intifada is an independent online news publication and educational resource focusing on Palestine, its people, politics, culture and place in the world. Founded in 2001, The Electronic Intifada has won awards and earned widespread recognition for publishing original, high-quality news and analysis, and first-person accounts and reviews. The Electronic Intifada’s writers and reporters include Palestinians and others living inside Palestine and everywhere else that news about Palestine and Palestinians is made.

The Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) is an independent non-profit organization that provides journalists with quick access to information about Palestine and the Palestinians, as well as expert sources, both in the United States and in the Middle East. Both through its website and its staff, the IMEU works with journalists to increase the public's understanding about the socio-economic, political and cultural aspects of Palestine, Palestinians and Palestinian Americans.

The Palestine Chronicle is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to educate the general public by providing a forum that strives to highlight issues of relevance to human rights, national struggles, freedom and democracy in the form of daily news, commentary, features, book reviews, photos, art, and more.

“Al-Nakba” (Arabic for “the catastrophe”) refers to the events of 1948, when two-thirds of the Palestinian population were forcibly displaced from their homes. The attempt to drive the Palestinian people off their land did not end in 1948. This 40-page booklet is a concise description and history of invasion, displacement, and mass imprisonment that have continued to the present day, blocking all efforts at justice, equal rights and peace.

Take Action

12 WAYS TO HELP PALESTINE

1. Educate Yourself

Make sure you have a solid understanding of the situation and developments.

2. Raise Awareness

Talk to friends, neighbors, co-workers and open their eyes; post on social media.

3. Lobby the Government

Let your representatives know that you do not support pro-Israel positions.

4. Engage the Media

The media needs to keep hearing from us in order to balance its reporting.

5. Join your local solidarity group

Power in numbers; you can be more effective working as part of a local group.

6. Protests & Banner Drops

Protest is a powerful form of showing solidarity and helping raise awareness.

7. Connect the Struggles

Emphasize the parallels with other struggles for social justice; Ferguson!

8. Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions

BDS is making an impact and can topple Israel’s Apartheid just as in South Africa.